According to police, an abusive HIV-positive middle school teacher’s aide in Maryland allegedly sexually assaulted upward of 40 students and tried to infect at least five of his victims with the HIV virus.
Carlos Deangelo Bell, 30, who also coached one of the school’s track teams, was arrested in July over alleged abuse of 24 children; that number has since risen to 42.
As reported by The Daily Caller, Deangelo Bell is now facing 206 counts on various sex abuse charges against children ranging in age from 11 to 17.
The alleged incidents reportedly started in May of 2015 and took place at the 30-year-old’s home, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, and other possible locations. The latest incident is believed to have taken place in June of 2017.
Deangelo Bell, aware that he is HIV-positive, used no protection when assaulting children, reports CBS News. The perp has been charged with five counts of attempting to knowingly transfer HIV.
Thus far, no victims have tested positive of the virus.
Below is the statement on the charges against Bell released by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office:
La Plata, MD – Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, Maryland, in conjunction with Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry and Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools Dr. Kimberly Hill, advises that on Friday, October 20, 2017, the Grand Jury for Charles County returned a 206 count indictment for Carlos Deangelo Bell of Waldorf. This third indictment against Bell includes the previous allegations found in two prior indictments filed on June 30, 2017 and July 28, 2017, as well as charges for additional victims uncovered during the ongoing investigation.
The 206 count indictment covers 28 identified alleged victims and 14 unidentified alleged victims. The time frame of the alleged conduct spans approximately 2 years from May of 2015 through June of 2017. The ages of the alleged victims at the time the offenses were committed range from 11 years old to 17 years old.
In open Court today, Bell was served with this latest indictment and served with the State’s notice that, if he is convicted of certain crimes alleged in the indictment, the State will be seeking a life sentence. Bell is still being held without bond. Trial on these charges is scheduled for January 8, 2018.
At this time, the State is not aware of any alleged victim having tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Previous reporting to the contrary made by certain media outlets was inaccurate.
The investigation into Carlos Bell’s activities is still ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office continues the effort to identify any and all alleged victims in this matter. The State’s Attorney’s Office strongly encourages parents/guardians to speak with any child that may have had contact with Carlos Bell and immediately report any relevant information to the Sheriff’s Office.
H/T The Daily Caller